After each week of NFL football games for the 2017-2018 season, the Heads 'N Tales podcast will be posting an episode dedicated to injuries and health & safety topics surrounding the NFL. Specifically we will talk about possible prevention strategies, the rulebook, equipment and other injury buzz around the league.  My co-host and strategist for these episodes will be one of my closest friends, Josh Boyd (hence the J in "JK"..I'm the K...).  Josh and I grew up playing baseball together. Josh was a division-1 center fielder for Monmouth University and experienced his fair share of injuries throughout his career.  Although Josh never played organized football, the dude flat-out knows the game of football and undoubtably knows more about the ins-and-outs of the sport better than I do from both a fan and x's & o's perspective.  Our intention for these episodes is to spark conversations around topics that are usually brushed under the rug or only minimally covered in the hopes of making football and all sports safer for the athletes who play them.  

You are currently looking at the show notes for Week 13!

Week 13 Injuries: Zach Ertz, TE Philadelphia, Concussion Protocol

• Get your binoculars out (below)!

Play how Zach Ertz got Hurt#Eagles #Seahawks #PHIvsSEA pic.twitter.com/ZJ4pahv3Te

— David Malandra Jr (@David_Malandra) December 4, 2017 Alec Olgetree, LB LA RAms, Elbow

• Alec shares his thoughts on the injury and how is ego got in the way of him coming out of the game.  A message worthy of a Heads 'N Tales stamp of approval!

"It wasn't on the touchdown. Like the next series I was on a tackle and got hit on it."

Alec Ogletree speaks with the media about his injury. pic.twitter.com/XSQEmUpr0B

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 4, 2017

• Some think he might have injured his arm on this pick-six flip into the endzone.

The #Rams Alec Ogeltree INT for a touchdown off Blaine Gabbrett pic.twitter.com/vo6wBjQWk2

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) December 3, 2017 Matt Stafford, QB Detroit, Hand/Wrist

Matt Stafford appears to have a busted hand. Please excuse the barking. #Lions pic.twitter.com/7IipWUSt4c

— Josh Moore (@4for4_Josh) December 3, 2017

• Kevin shares war stories from the high school days about how the hands are constantly getting "banged up."

Tyrod Taylor, QB Buffalo, Knee

• No Structural Damage, Bruised Knee Cap

Jimmy Smith, CB Bal, Achilles (Out For Year)

• + 4 Game PED suspension
• Similar to Richard Sherman, lingering injury

Tre’davious White, CB Buffalo, Concussion Protocol (Gronk Hit)

"In my opinion, that was a play where Gronkowski should have been ejected from the game... Maybe even a suspension going forward."@DeanBlandino breaks down Gronk's hit from today's game. pic.twitter.com/WgZ8U4tS8s

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 3, 2017

• Gronk suspended 1 game pending appeal
• Discussion about hits after the whistle/outside the lines
  • Should they be considered assault?

CJ Fiedorowicz, TE Hou, Concussion (3rd this year)

• Missed 8 games earlier in year due to Concussion Week 1

Bill O'Brien on C.J. Fiedorowicz who left after a concussion in today's game. CJFs third of the season. #Texans pic.twitter.com/69aIj61a4K

— patrick (@PatDStat) December 3, 2017 Week 12 Updates: Oakland/Denver Fight

• Crabtree, Talib suspension reduced to 1 games each (missed this weeks game)
  • Called it! They always reduce the suspensions...

EXTENDED CONVERSATION: Eli Manning/Giants

• 210 Straight Starts Snapped by Coaches Decision (Non-Injury)

WATCH: Eli Manning reacts to the announcement that he will not start on Sunday pic.twitter.com/nQoPEcfTl3

— New York Giants (@Giants) November 28, 2017 Aaron Rodgers Back at Practice

• Will the Packers still be in the playoff hunt when he returns?

My Cause My Cleats (Josh & Kevin's Choices)

• Josh chose Autism Speaks because of the work he did with autistic students after college.
• Kevin chose the High Fives Foundation, which was founded by episode 85 guest, Roy Tuscany, because of the work they do for athletes who suffer life-altering injuries and their injury prevention educational resources.

Download  : iTunes | Stitcher | SoundCloud

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Christen Biskelonis is a Physical Therapist who overcame 4 ACL reconstructions and is the CEO of Journey Physical Therapy LLC.  We were connected by one of my childhood friends after she expressed her passion for injury prevention and safe body mechanics to him.  After talking about her own experience with ACL injuries we dive deep into what puts athletes at risk for suffering this type of knee injury.  Since Christen was local, we tested out my new camera by recording a couple videos on the red flags for at-risk athletes. Christen teaches us about proper landing mechanics and how to strengthen your hamstrings which are both major contributors to ACL tears (below). 

Are You At Risk? Some Exercises you can do at home to help prevent an ACL injury from ending your season: Equipment seen in this video:

• Latex Resistance Loop
• Physio Ball

The right way... The Wrong Way... Below are more topics of conversation Christen and I talk about in episode 105:

• The story of Christen's first ACL injury (right leg), which occurred when she was just 14 years old while playing basketball.
• What is was like being in a full leg brace and in a wheelchair on the first day of high school.
• The story of Christen tearing the same ACL in the first basketball practice back from the original injury after doing a layup.
• Why her second reconstruction, which required a pre-reconstructive surgery was the worst of all her surgeries.
• Why surgeons tend to lean towards patellar tendon grafts for professional athletes and their role of mechanoreceptors.
• The role of growth plates for young athletes and ACL surgery.
• The story of Christen's third ACL injury (left leg) and an athletic trainers role in saving her leg.
• The roles each knee ligament plays in stability.
• What sparked Christen's interest in physical therapy.
• The current state of health care and it’s impact on physical therapy.
• What to look for in a rehab facility.
• Why you shouldn’t wait until you get hurt to see a physical therapist.
• The importance of stretching, rest and hydration.
• Red flags for ACL risk factors.
• Why teenage girls are at the greatest risk for ACL injuries.
• Assessing ACL risks through movement screenings.
• Why there are so many non-contact ACL injuries among NFL players.
• The role music played in Christen’s recoveries.
• Why practice doesn’t always make perfect.

WHERE CAN YOU FIND CHRISTEN? WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK  Download Episode 105 : iTunes | Stitcher | SoundCloud

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After each week of NFL football games for the 2017-2018 season, the Heads 'N Tales podcast will be posting an episode dedicated to injuries and health & safety topics surrounding the NFL. Specifically we will talk about possible prevention strategies, the rulebook, equipment and other injury buzz around the league.  My co-host and strategist for these episodes will be one of my closest friends, Josh Boyd (hence the J in "JK"..I'm the K...).  Josh and I grew up playing baseball together. Josh was a division-1 center fielder for Monmouth University and experienced his fair share of injuries throughout his career.  Although Josh never played organized football, the dude flat-out knows the game of football and undoubtably knows more about the ins-and-outs of the sport better than I do from both a fan and x's & o's perspective.  Our intention for these episodes is to spark conversations around topics that are usually brushed under the rug or only minimally covered in the hopes of making football and all sports safer for the athletes who play them.  

You are currently looking at the show notes for Week 12!

Week 12 Injuries: Amari Cooper, WR, Oakland, Concussion

Amari Cooper is out. This video is not for the faint of heart. pic.twitter.com/dvRRnPMYDE

— Dieter Kurtenbach (@dkurtenbach) November 26, 2017

• Is this an unavoidable play for the safety?

Paxton Lynch, QB, DenVER, Ankle Sprain (2-4 Weeks)

Paxton Lynch in full tears on the sideline. They really represent the Broncos fans' emotions this season after 2-0. pic.twitter.com/khdoL1Ex0u

— Andrew Jerell Jones (@sluggahjells) November 26, 2017

• We know the feeling brother!

Greg Olsen, TE, CarOLINA, Foot, Same Injury as Early in the year

• Day to Day, No video

Doug Martin, RB, Tampa Bay, Concussion

• No Video, specific hit or cause not known

Coby Fleener, TE, New Orleans, Concussion

According to the CBS broadcast, Saints didn't check Fleener for a concussion after this hit. pic.twitter.com/pWV9ceXz3A

— Justin Russo (@FlyByKnite) November 26, 2017

I take no pride in repeating that the #NFL #concussion protocol is a fraud. Fleener should have been pulled immediately after giving the CLASSIC concussion head shake walking off the field after this monster hit. Kept playing, pulled w/a concussion later. Come on! Watch the hit: https://t.co/UEqAdavFNX

— Chris Nowinski, Ph.D. (@ChrisNowinski1) November 27, 2017

• Sparks another concussion protocol discussion
• What are these booth ATC's looking at? 
• Where is the breakdown in communication?
• Fifth career concussion

Telvin Smith, LB, JacKSONVILLE, Concussion

• Delayed onset of symptoms?
• Concussion protocol talk continued...

Week 12 Plays: Oakland/Denver Fight

FIIIIIIIIIGHT pic.twitter.com/FE5dmYuKJl

— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) November 26, 2017

• Can any rule change deter fights?
• Bad look for the league?

Jabrill Peppers, Cleveland, FLAGGED FOR HITTING DEFENSELESS RECIEVER

How is this a penalty on Peppers? #Browns pic.twitter.com/22uILZriQU

— Stephen Gainey (@sggainey97) November 26, 2017

• Jabrill's coach's thoughts on the hit:

“I am not going to tell Jabrill Peppers to play that play any differently,” Jackson said. “If he can lower his strike point a little bit, then great, OK? But I am not jumping him or going to be upset with him because of that play yesterday and how it happened. I am not going to do that.”

Buf DB “Helmet to Helmet” Penalty, but actually not a pentaly

“Personal foul”

I have been researching anything and everything that has to do with concussions since suffering my own career-ending head injury ten years ago. That being said, most of the "new" breakthroughs seen on the news are usually old news for me.  I have heard of the association between neck strength and concussion risk though my research over the years.  And while myself and all of the other athletes who attended West Morris Central High School were blessed to have an amazing strength and conditioning coach, I don't recall ever doing neck strengthening exercises. Therefore, I had very little personal knowledge about neck strength and its role in concussion prevention until talking with Mike Jolly (pictured above) and Robert Sherman (right) from Iron Neck. 

The Iron Neck was invented by Mike Jolly in 2012 in response to seeing the impact of CTE on former UCLA Football teammates and the rise in concussions in young athletes. As a high school and college football coach, Mike began researching ways to prevent concussions and focused on two growing areas of research:

1. Neck training as a proactive measure to reduce concussion risk.
2. The increased threat of rotational forces on the brain.

Below is a video on how the Iron Neck is used and how it is innovating neck strengthening in the world of strength and conditioning:

There is no silver bullet when it comes to concussion prevention, but as Robert said in episode 104, "you're only as strong as your weakest link." Below are other topics we touch on in our conversation:

• The inspiration behind the creation of the first Iron Neck.
• The neck's role in dissipating forces to the head.
• The anatomy of neck muscles and how to achieve maximum contraction.
• Mike's concussion story.
• Why Mike credits wrestling for staying healthy on the football field.
• Why helmets aren’t the answer to preventing concussions, especially in sports other than football.
• What Joey Batson, Head Strength and Conditioning coach at Clemson is doing to prevent concussions.
• Why females should be prioritizing neck strength.
• Evolution of neck strengthening (Below).

• Why neck range of motion + flexibility are also important.
• Motorsports crumple zone comparison.
• How strength and conditioning coaches are using the Iron Neck to save time and space. 
• How the Iron Neck allows for transferability to the field and positional strength.
• Why the biggest impacts come from the ones you don’t see coming.
• Research on the Iron Neck:
  • In 2014, the Journal of Primary Prevention published a study that tracked 6700 high school athletes in boys' and girls' soccer, basketball, and lacrosse over a 2.5 year period. Researchers captured anthropometric measurements, concussion incidents and athletic exposure data and found "for every one pound increase in neck strength, odds of concussion decreased by 5%."
• How Physical Therapists and Athletic Trainers are using the Iron Neck. 
  • Vestibular and vision training, text neck, postural.

WHERE CAN YOU LEARN MORE ABOUT The Iron NEck? WEBSITE | Instagram | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | YOUTUBE WHERE CAN YOU FIND Mike? LINKEDIN WHERE CAN YOU FIND Robert? LINKEDIN Download Episode 104 : iTunes | Stitcher | SoundCloud

After each week of NFL football games for the 2017-2018 season, the Heads 'N Tales podcast will be posting an episode dedicated to injuries and health & safety topics surrounding the NFL. Specifically we will talk about possible prevention strategies, the rulebook, equipment and other injury buzz around the league.  My co-host and strategist for these episodes will be one of my closest friends, Josh Boyd (hence the J in "JK"..I'm the K...).  Josh and I grew up playing baseball together. Josh was a division-1 center fielder for Monmouth University and experienced his fair share of injuries throughout his career.  Although Josh never played organized football, the dude flat-out knows the game of football and undoubtably knows more about the ins-and-outs of the sport better than I do from both a fan and x's & o's perspective.  Our intention for these episodes is to spark conversations around topics that are usually brushed under the rug or only minimally covered in the hopes of making football and all sports safer for the athletes who play them.  

You are currently looking at the show notes for Week 11!

Week 11 Injuries: Chris Thompson, RB Washington, Fractured Fibula (Out for Year)

This injury to Chris Thompson doesn't look good. Right ankle gets trapped underneath a Saints player pic.twitter.com/WW8hQcp42n

— Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) November 19, 2017

• Is this a result of not going 100%?

Alex Okafor, DE New Orleans, Torn Achilles (Out for Year)

This was the Alex Okafor injury, if you didn't see. Favored his lower right leg. No doctor of course, thoughts @ProFootballDoc? pic.twitter.com/Tzw9OmZcNN

— John Hendrix (@JohnJHendrix) November 20, 2017

• Signed 1 year contract in offseason after 4 years in ARI
• Breakout year, pending free agent again
• Why guys hold out and should hold out for big contract when they can

Kelvin Benjamin, WR Buffalo, Right Knee, Status TBD (History)

Here’s a better angle on the Kelvin Benjamin right knee injury. He grabbed the back of the knee. Being carted to the locker room now. #bills pic.twitter.com/OXYFdOuKvU

— Nick Veronica (@NickVeronica) November 19, 2017

• Not a defenseless receiver situation 

#Bills WR Kelvin Benjamin carted off the field with injury, here's the play pic.twitter.com/1IjF6GAvYu

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) November 19, 2017

• Torn Left ACL in 2015 training camp
• Avoided any ligament damage this injury

D’Onta Foreman, RB Houston, Torn Achilles (Out for Year)

This 34-yard TD run and injury by Texans rookie D'Onta Foreman is 2017 in a nutshellpic.twitter.com/MroSsQnTMQ

— NFL Retweet (@NFLRT) November 19, 2017 Jay Cutler, QB Miami, Concussion

Jay Cutler played a half.
Matt Moore played a half.

They played the same team.

Here are the stats comparison as the game is now tied at 20. pic.twitter.com/WFqL6LMyOK

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) November 19, 2017

• (Article, no video)
• Kristen Cavallari (Wife) Hates Football

(Via Instagram)

Johnny Holton, WR Oakland, Concussion Protocol

#Raiders versus #Patriots: Johnny Holton shows clear #concussion signs after his head violently bounces off the turf. Holds head, remains on ground. Now in "protocol." I am really hoping that the noise we made last week re: 3 protocol breaches prevents his return. See video: pic.twitter.com/OkxqOnVZpB

— Chris Nowinski, Ph.D. (@ChrisNowinski1) November 19, 2017

• Returned to Game

Jake Elliot, K Philadelphia, Concussion

• It's not everyday you see a kicker with a concussion

Ryan Switzer's opening kickoff return pic.twitter.com/jHW4JcDKna

— DemBoyzNation (@DemBoyzNation) November 20, 2017

• Mason Crosby shows us how it is done (below)

Ryan Martin is a professional basketball player, President of the Ryan Martin Foundation, motivational speaker and a coach.  Ryan was born with Spina Bifida and, at the age of two, had both of his legs amputated to prevent complications with infection. 

Basketball transformed Ryan's world from "wheelchair bound" to bound for college, bound for professional basketball, and bound for traveling overseas. In 2007, Ryan joined the professional basketball league in Europe, completing 10 seasons in both Spain and France. This season Ryan is playing for the New York Rolling Knicks of the NWBA.

Before Ryan went pro, he attended college at Southwest Minnesota State University and led SMSU to the NWBA National Title Game in 2001. He graduated in 2002 with a degree in Secondary Education with a minor in Sociology. After graduation, Ryan joined the Phoenix Wheelchair Suns and played in the 2005 NWBA All-Star games.

Along with establishing his foundation, Ryan is a consultant for the NCAA on their Inclusive Sports Model. A large portion of our conversation in episode 103 was dedicated to learning about the tremendous work Ryan is doing with the NCAA to improve adaptive sports opportunities in college athletics. 

Below are some additional topics covered in episode 103:

• Explanation of spina bifada
• Ryan's upbringing and what is was like for him to be adopted into a family with other children with special needs.
• Ryan's work with veterans, teaching them to play basketball and their transition process.
  • "Its not about how you got there, its about how you deal with your situation"
• Why Ryan feels his disability has opened more doors than have been closed for him.
• The importance of reaching your maximum potential and seizing the opportunities that come your way.
• The role of effort in overcoming obstacles.
• Rules and regulations of wheelchair basketball.
• Why height is still unbeatable in wheelchair basketball.
• The unique challenges presented to the athletes who play wheelchair basketball.
• How sports helped Ryan build confidence and fit in and how he is trying to pay it forward today.
• Ryan's message about bullying.
• Why how you carry yourself is how you are perceived.
• Current projects Ryan is working on through the Ryan Martin Foundation.
  • Creating adaptive sports programs throughout the NCAA as a means of creating diverse environments.
• Adaptive sports program starting up at the University of Connecticut.
• The potential societal impact of adaptive sports.
• Staying healthy in the sport of wheelchair basketball and maximising longevity.

WHERE CAN YOU LEARN MORE ABOUT the RYAN MARTIN FOUNDATION? WEBSITE | DONATE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM WHERE CAN YOU FIND Ryan? INstagram | TWITTER | LINKEDIN Download Episode 103 : iTunes | Stitcher | SoundCloud

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After each week of NFL football games for the 2017-2018 season, the Heads 'N Tales podcast will be posting an episode dedicated to injuries and health & safety topics surrounding the NFL. Specifically we will talk about possible prevention strategies, the rulebook, equipment and other injury buzz around the league.  My co-host and strategist for these episodes will be one of my closest friends, Josh Boyd (hence the J in "JK"..I'm the K...).  Josh and I grew up playing baseball together. Josh was a division-1 center fielder for Monmouth University and experienced his fair share of injuries throughout his career.  Although Josh never played organized football, the dude flat-out knows the game of football and undoubtably knows more about the ins-and-outs of the sport better than I do from both a fan and x's & o's perspective.  Our intention for these episodes is to spark conversations around topics that are usually brushed under the rug or only minimally covered in the hopes of making football and all sports safer for the athletes who play them.  

You are currently looking at the show notes for Week 10!

Week 10 Injuries:

Martellus Bennett (TE, Green Bay & now New England) went from getting cut by Packers to active for Patriots in 4 days

• Looks like he is feeling pretty good to me (See video below)

• After disagreeing on the severity of his shoulder injury, the Packers released Bennett with a “failure to disclose an injury” designation after Week 9.

The #Packers paid TE Martellus Bennett $8M of his 3-year, $21M contract. The only tangible benefit to cutting him with the failure to disclose is if they argue his entire contract is void & go after his money. This isn’t over just yet.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 8, 2017

Daniel Lasko, New Orleans, RB taken off the field in stretcher on kickoff coverage

• Sparks discussion on kickoffs, touchbacks, the Patriots and what happens when you try to be like the patriots (see below)

103 YARDS TO THE HOUSE!@DionLewisRB is GONE. #GoPats #NEvsDEN pic.twitter.com/fnVmoZVx1u

— NFL (@NFL) November 13, 2017

Devonta Freeman, RB Atlanta, 2nd Concussion in 4 Months

• No Video, Thomas Davis Quote on Twitter…

If Devonta Freeman misses MNF, it will end the 2nd longest active starting streak for RBs at 30.

Frank Gore has the longest at *102*

— Gregg Rosenthal (@greggrosenthal) November 13, 2017

Joe Haden, CB Pittsburgh, Fractured Fibula, Out 3-8 weeks

Slo-mo and zoom of Haden injury #Steelers pic.twitter.com/LAQAUJ7OWU

— Steelers Depot (@Steelersdepot) November 13, 2017

Aaron Jones, Ty Mongomery, RB's Green Bay

• Jones MCL 3-6 Weeks
• Montgomery Ribs Week to Week

Richard Sherman, CB Seattle, Ruptured Achilles, Out for the year

Richard Sherman broke down in tears before leaving on crutches tonight: "I owe it to those guys, and I gave ’em everything I had." #Q13FOX https://t.co/oBzK1imNh5 pic.twitter.com/DcDPVCfj09

— Dusty Lane (@Dustin_L_Lane) November 10, 2017

• Players speak out on their dislike for Thursday Night games
• Richard Sherman wrote a Players Tribune Article about his hate for Thursday night games last year

• Richard Sherman played through Achilles pain for weeks before season-ending injury

• Stats provided by Football Outsiders says the data does not show a correlation between TNF and higher rates of injury.

• Big Ben's thoughts on TNF

On Dec. 14, 2016, Richard Sherman wrote a piece for The Players' Tribune entitled "Why I hate Thursday Night... https://t.co/dz0rMHAeUi

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 10, 2017

• Good Morning America's take on Thursday Night Games with Tony Reali (below)
  • The players benefit financially from TNF

Russell Wilson, QB Seattle, Concussion protocol issue

• Team could be fined $150,000 for violating the league concussion protocol
• Is the team really at fault for a situation like this?
• Did the blue tent blow this out of proportion?
• The idea of a helmet penalty box is brought up as a potential solution

Russell Wilson sent off after taking hit to the chin for concussion check, ducked in the tent then sent right back out pic.twitter.com/8HXvKOGNuG

— That Dude (@cjzer0) November 10, 2017

Jacoby Brissett, QB Indianapolis, More concussion protocol issues

• Brings up a discussion on "Concussion Body Language"

#NFL #concussion protocol is a fraud. QB Jacoby Brissett goes back in after showing the clearest concussions signs of the season. Helmet-to-helmet hit, holds head, then goes limp, then needs help up. You don't need a protocol to hold this player out for the game. Check the tape: pic.twitter.com/db8sDwVmVl

— Chris Nowinski, Ph.D. (@ChrisNowinski1) November 12, 2017

• Delayed onset of concussion symptoms are a real thing (Kevin shares his personal experience)

Official statement from the Colts explains why Brissett went to the medical tent twice. The independent neurologist was attending to another player (in the locker room), so Brissett was tested when he returned. pic.twitter.com/Rml2Q1Tpsj

— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) November 12, 2017 Non-Injury News, FInes & Updates from week 9:

Vontaze Burfict, Ejected for Making contact with official

• Flagged for late hit out of bounds on Titans RB earlier in the game

#Bengals Vontaze Burfict has already been suspended this season, now has been ejected vs #Titans, late hit out of bounds here pic.twitter.com/t4wQ7iQBnH

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) November 12, 2017

• This contact with the ref is what ultimately got him ejected from the game

Video of Vontaze Burfict and why he was ejected. #Bengals @fox19 pic.twitter.com/7Po25VAlX7

— Jeremy Rauch (@FOX19Jeremy) November 12, 2017

• He obviously shows no remorse and embraces the persona, but how is this affecting his team?

Burfict reacts to fans as he's leaving post-ejection pic.twitter.com/WYBYWlnE2g

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) November 12, 2017

Teddy Bridgewater, QB Minnesota, Returns from ACL/Major Knee Surgery

Teddy Bridgewater emotional after officially returning to his first game since Jan 10, 2016 (2015 season wildcard loss to SEA), serving as backup to Case Keenum: “it was great to lace my cleats up”..... pic.twitter.com/NQjbsyi296

— StaceyDales (@StaceyDales) November 13, 2017

• Heads 'N Tales worthy for sure!  We will definitely be rooting for this guy!

Marquise Goodwin, WR, 49ers, Feel-goodish story

Marquise Goodwin and his wife lost their baby due to complications during pregnancy.

Hours later, he had an emotional touchdown celebration that was bigger than sports. pic.twitter.com/EJyw9idfOP

— SB Nation (@SBNation) November 13, 2017

#49ers WR Marquise Goodwin and his wife lost their unborn baby due to complications yesterday morning.

What does he do? Score an emotional touchdown. Goosebumps.

pic.twitter.com/wEMckVx6Fm

— The Football Bible™ (@TheFBBible) November 13, 2017

Fines from Week 9 Fights

• AJ Green 30k+12K
• Mike Evans 40k
• Jameis Winston 12k
• Arizona/SF guys 9k

Download  : iTunes | Stitcher | SoundCloud

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Vin McCaffrey is a former college basketball player at Lehigh University and is now the Founder & CEO of Game Plan.  Game Plan is a student-athlete development platform that unifies the student-athlete experience and aligns athletic departments, athletes, and employers for the good of all. 

As a member of the men’s basketball team at Lehigh University Vin saw first-hand the challenges student-athletes face.  Early on in the interview we talk about the giant GPA holes we dug for ourselves in our first semester of freshman year. Vin eventually went on to earn a Bachelor’s in International Relations in 1998 and started his professional career with Lexmark International. Following Lexmark, Vin worked in the financial and technology industries leading various business development initiatives.  His passion for the student-athlete experience never left him and after he completed his Master’s in Business Administration in 2008 from Indiana University, he started Game Plan.  In this episode Vin and I talk all things related about an athletes journey to a life after sports.  We hope to prevent athletes from going through some of the things we struggled with throughout our athletic careers and after retirement from sport.

Below are some of the topics we touch on in our conversation:

• Managing the new found freedom experienced when freshman get on campus.
• The benefits of the structured sports schedule.
• How to identify key interests, choosing majors and career paths, through the use of interest inventories.
• College majors and schedule conflicts for athletes.
• Vin talks about the sting of getting cut his senior season at Lehigh after a coaching transition.
• Transitioning to a life after sports after an abrupt end to a career.
• Translating athletic experiences into real world skills.
• How the process of becoming a college athlete is entrepreneurial. 
• Underemployment in the workforce today. 
• Why playing sports doesn't have to be a liability for getting a job/transition into the work force.
• How student-athletes are out-performing the general student body today.
• Game Plan's approach to addressing the athlete identity.
• The importance of not understating the uniqueness of each athlete's journey.
• Why division-3 athletes might be more prepared for life after sports than division-1 athletes.
• Advice for high school athletes who aren’t able to play in college.
• Athlete-friendly companies and things to look for when searching for jobs.
• Who is most at risk to struggle in their transition to life after sports.
• What questions to ask yourself before accepting a job offer.
• Common mistakes that make athletes unattractive to employers.
• Why coaches need to be on board with preparing athletes for their transition to life after sports.

Vin still has it! Where can yoU Learn More about game Plan? Website | Twitter | Facebook WHERE CAN YOU FIND VIN? FACEBOOK | TWITTER | LINKEDIN Download Episode 102 : iTunes | Stitcher | SoundCloud

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After each week of NFL football games for the 2017-2018 season, the Heads 'N Tales podcast will be posting an episode dedicated to injuries and health & safety topics surrounding the NFL. Specifically we will talk about possible prevention strategies, the rulebook, equipment and other injury buzz around the league.  My co-host and strategist for these episodes will be one of my closest friends, Josh Boyd (hence the J in "JK"..I'm the K...).  Josh and I grew up playing baseball together. Josh was a division-1 center fielder for Monmouth University and experienced his fair share of injuries throughout his career.  Although Josh never played organized football, the dude flat-out knows the game of football and undoubtably knows more about the ins-and-outs of the sport better than I do from both a fan and x's & o's perspective.  Our intention for these episodes is to spark conversations around topics that are usually brushed under the rug or only minimally covered in the hopes of making football and all sports safer for the athletes who play them.  

You are currently looking at the show notes for Week 9!

This week our buddy Evan Guarini joins the show.  Evan is a life long Giants fan and a former captain of the Marist College Men's lacrosse team.  Evan tore is ACL  before the start of his sophomore season and he gives us some insight into what lies ahead for Deshaun Watson.

Week 9 Injuries:

Andrew Luck, QB Indianapolis, Shoulder, Placed on IR this week, out for the year

• Original Shoulder injury happened in 2015?

Luck believes he suffered labrum injury in week 3, 2015 vs. Titans. He wouldn't be first QB to "tough" way through it but not always wise.

— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) November 5, 2017

• Potentially career ending or career altering?

Deshaun Watson, QB Houston, Torn ACL (In Practice? Tweaked in game last week?), Out for the year.

Not hard to imagine this play causing damage to Deshaun Watson's knee, as @AdamSchefter reported this morning. pic.twitter.com/tMJDhpq6Nt

— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) November 5, 2017

• Discussion with Evan on rehab of ACL and injury itself
  • Evan tore his ACL while playing lacrosse for Marist College
• With so many ACL injuries in the NFL, fans automatically conditioned to expect players to be back without any issues after surgery.
• Are fans more worried about fantasy implications of injury than struggle of the players to actually come back from these injuries? 
• What’s the worst part of ACL rehab/recovery?
• Why not everyone can recover like Adrian Peterson

Jameis Winston, QB Tampa Bay, Shoulder (Again)

• Same injury as week 6 Injury
  • Defender wraps his arms so he cannot brace his fall. Looks like his right shoulder takes the brunt of the hit when he impacts the ground.
  • AC Joint

Dez Bryant, WR Dallas, Ankle

• No video not considered serious

Three Separate Fights in Week 9:

• 49ers/Cardinals stemming from late hit on sliding QB

3rd big fight of the day, happened during #Cardinals-#49ers game pic.twitter.com/WoAgNQgcgW

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) November 6, 2017

• Bengals/Jaguars AJ Green/Jalen Ramsey Ejected

Jalen: “Let me show you how to pick a fight.”

AJ Green: “Let me show you how you picked the wrong fight.” pic.twitter.com/4KrLAgKBLQ

— Oliver Maroney (@OMaroneyNBA) November 5, 2017

• Bucs/Saints Somehow no ejections

Is it a daytime full moon another fight. Mike Evans with the cheap shot. Should for ejected. Damn Winston @Alex_Kozora @Steelersdepot pic.twitter.com/A8Y6jeGcsK

— T R (@TimotRice) November 5, 2017

• Do fights look bad for the league or do they come with the territory?

• Would fighting in football make it safer?

  • Riley Cote enforcer reference

Updates from week 8:

Kiko Alonzo/Fletcher Cox, neither suspended for hits in Week 8

• Alonzo fined 9k, Cox no fine

Quandre Diggs, CB Detroit, Fined 24k for hit on Jesse James

Thomas Davis fined 48k for hit on TB WR Humphries

As a 13yr vet that honestly tries to play the game of football the way it’s supposed to be played! I can’t imagine that this freakin’ tackle would cost me $48,620! Not a single part of this play was dirty! I love playing this game but if this was illegal then it’s time for me to retire! #AppealOnDeck

A post shared by td58 (@td58) on Nov 2, 2017 at 5:20pm PDT

What do you think? (See below)

This was not a $48,620 hit by Thomas Davis. Flag worthy? Debatable but probably. Fine worthy? Nope. pic.twitter.com/iaS7Hht00D

— Zach Helms (@KeepPounding95) November 4, 2017 NFL Fine structure and Implementation Discussion:

• Click HERE to access the NFL's chart on fines discussed in this episode.

Extended Conversation/Questions for Evan:

• How has your NFL fandom/viewing feeling changed (if at all) this season
• Latest Buzz Topic- NFL TV Oversaturation, Group Discussion

Download  : iTunes | Stitcher | SoundCloud

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Jenna Minecci is the founder of Jennactive, an ACL prevention company/support network, and the author of the book "Surviving 7, The Experts Guide to ACL Surgery, Recovery, Rehabilitation and Prevention."  I came across Jenna's story on Instagram and it didn't take me long to figure out that I needed to have her on the podcast.  Jenna suffered her first ACL tear while playing soccer when she was just 13 years old.  Both Jenna and her family lacked knowledge in the area of ACL rehab at the time and she ended up making some decisions that in hindsight, turned out to be mistakes. Some of these mistakes include the type of graft used and an insufficient amount of physical therapy post-surgery due to exceeding the number of paid visits from her family's health insurance provider. 

Jenna would chant “Patience and Persistence” to keep her spirits high when she was feeling down.

Close to two years after tearing her right ACL, Jenna tore her left ACL while goofing around with some friends.  This time she tore her ACL, MCL and meniscus.  This injury was much more painful than the first, but her surgery and rehab process was more of the same.  Both of her surgeries ended up failing and her revision surgeries were also unsuccessful. To date 1/3 of Jenna's life has been spent recovering from surgeries stemming from her two ACL injuries and she is undoubtedly an expert on everything that has to do with this type of recovery.  Jenna has since dedicated her life to preventing other athletes from suffering what she has gone through. Her knowledge on all things related to the knee and keeping it healthy is incredible and all this information can be found in her new book.  I picture Surviving 7 being in every athletic training room in the country to serve as a guide for athletes who unfortunately experience a knee injury.  Below are a few topics we touch on during our conversation:   

• Jenna's experience with all surgeries to date, both repairs and revisions.
• Advice for choosing the right surgeon. 
• Interview questions for prospective surgeons. 
• The pro's and cons of the different graft options.
• What defines a failed surgery.
• The loneliness experienced during recovery.
• The stigma of the brace.
• How Jenna has improved her productivity through journaling positive affirmations.
• Mastery skills Jenna has developed through all of her surgery recoveries.
• The roles that hormones play in ACL injuries and how to combat some of these changes.
• Goal setting strategies.

"Don’t fight the process" WHERE CAN YOU FIND Jenna? Website | INstagram | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | Youtube Where can you get your own copy of Surviving 7? Surviving 7: The Expert's Guide to ACL Surgery: Recovery, Rehabilitation, and Prevention By Jenna Minecci Download Episode 101 : iTunes | Stitcher | SoundCloud

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